Improvement in life-preserving capes



G.`& C. PALMER. Life-Preserving Capes.

144,561. Pmnmdvm."11,1823.`

Wi nesses'.

Per

l Attorneys.

UNITED STATES PATENT CEEIcE.

IMPROVEMENT IN LIFE-PRESERVENG CAPES.

Specification. forming part of Letters Patent No. 144,561, datedNovember 11,1873; application led June 17, 1873.

` Buoy; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, andexact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawing forming part of this speciiication.

The invention will first be fully described, and then clearly pointedout in the claim.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the cape when inflated. Fig. 2 is alongitudinal view, partly in section, of the pipe by which the cape isiniiated and its stopper. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of bellows andpipe; and Figs. 4 and 5 are side elevations, showin g the cape inflatedand not inflated.

In the drawing, A Al A2 represent a hollow circular cape, made of, orlined on the inside with, water-tight material, and provided withbuckles and straps to fasten the same after being placed about the neck.B is a bellows, connecting with the chamber inside of cape by a rubberpipe, D, whereby the cape can be iniiated. The cape A is made in threecompartments, so as to allow openings a a to receive the shoulders. C G1G2 are broad pieces, attached, respectively, to the compartments A A1A2, and provided with buckles and straps, by which they are fastenedunder the arms. This has thel effect to bring the strain beneath thearms, instead of allowingitatobe brought to bear upon the neck or head.

This cape, as soon as collapsed, falls upon the shoulders, and may beordinarily worn by sailors or others, aEording a water-proof vprotectorin bad weather, as well as a life-pro tector in case of accident.

The parts d d of pipe D are made of brass, and threaded to form nut andscrew. E is a pin, having a ratchet-head, F, held by a pawl, H, andattached to one end of a piece of catgut, whose other end is fastened toa rubber stopper, G.

As soon. as the buoy is full, three turns of the ratchet-pin E will drawthe stopper into the pipe sufficiently tight to prevent the air fromescaping, while a pawl, H, will hold it. When it is to be emptied, theratchet-pin is to be turned back the same number of times,

and that part between the brass and the buoy Y pressed with the fingerand thumb. This will force the stopper from its place, and cause it tohang inside, as shown in the drawing.

This buoy can be got Aready for use within two minutes, filled before orafter it is put on,

and put on in the same manner as a vest. It l will it almost any size ofperson` by altering the back and side straps, when the only straps thento be used are the front straps. We have tested it, and have tried al1means to force onrselves under water, but :failed to do so, and feelsure of its capability of keeping any person afloat. The bellows forfilling it with `air can be detached. Vhen it is full, three turns of``the screw will drawthe stopper into its place. `The bellows then canbe taken off and put flation into a life-preserver, in which the pointof suspension is by thearms, substantially as described.

GEORGE PALMER. CHARLES PALMER.

Witnesses JOHN BROWN, W. J. DAvIs.

